Monitoring of Heavy Metal Contamination in Dietary Vegetables

Abstract

Reports of increasing concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables are currently a major cause of concern for human health. The samples of cauliflower and spinach were collected from different locations such as kitchen garden and local vegetable markets in and around Delhi. These vegetables were tested for the presence of heavy metals ( Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn) . Analysis was carried out using washed and unwashed samples. The concentrations of these metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The unwashed samples showed higher concentrations of heavy metals in comparison to washed samples. Specifically, the concentrations of Cu and Cr were much higher in the vegetables procured from areas which were irrigated with polluted water as compared to vegetables grown in kitchen garden. These findings highlight the need to educate farmers on the implications of their current agricultural practices.